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THE APPLICATION CYCLE IS NOW OPEN

The WOCN® Society established a WOCN Fellow Program to recognize the excellence of nurses who have made outstanding contributions within the WOCN Society and/or WOC nursing profession, reflective of education, research, public policy and advocacy, membership engagement, and quality improvement.  This honorable designation is based on clinical expertise, leadership, scholarly experience, and contributions to the profession and healthcare systems.  WOCN Fellows contribute knowledge and expertise to shape the WOC nursing practice.

About WOCN Fellows | About Honorary Fellows | Fees | Important Dates

We are proud to offer two categories:

WOCN Fellow: Recognizes nurses who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and made significant contributions to the WOCN Society and the WOC nursing profession. Candidates for this category must be members of the WOCN Society. Additional criteria and qualifications are below.

WOCN Honorary Fellow: Honors individuals who have made distinguished contributions to advancing healthcare, science, and health equity within the field of WOC nursing. Candidates for this category are not eligible for a regular WOCN Fellow category (i.e., is not a nurse, is no longer certified, is deceased, is not a member of the WOCN Society, etc.). Additional criteria and qualifications are below.

ABOUT WOCN FELLOW CATEGORY

This category recognizes nurses who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and made significant contributions to the WOCN Society and the WOC nursing profession.

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements at the time of application:

  • Minimum of 5 years of WOCN Society membership at the time of application (not including years as a student member).
  • Minimum of 5 years of continuous certification in good standing at the time of application in one or more of the WOC nursing specialties. Applicants with CFN or WTA-C credentials are ineligible unless they also hold another WOCNCB certification.
  • Minimum of 5 years of professional experience acquired as a practitioner in the WOC nursing specialty.

Applicant self-assessment

The following section is designed to help aspiring applicants assess their qualifications and readiness to be considered for WOCN Fellow recognition.  During the application process, applicants will be required to provide written responses to the following areas of inquiry:

  • Demonstrate and provide examples of expertise and impact within WOC nursing education, research, evidence-based practice projects, public policy and advocacy, quality improvement, and membership engagement.
  • Provide examples of conducting evidence-based and/or data-driven projects to improve and impact patient care, safety, health outcomes, health system processes, or education processes.
  • Demonstrate evidence of going beyond the “ordinary” WOC nurse role and making a significant impact to advance the WOC nurse role.
  • Demonstrate evidence of dissemination of knowledge that demonstrates the value and impact of the WOC nurse role and related activities.

Application process

The entire application process is conducted via an online portal.  Applicants are required to provide the following:

  • Contact information.
  • CV (template will be provided).
  • Essay demonstrating outstanding achievement in WOC nursing specialty and leadership that commands respect and recognition from other leaders in the profession.  Essay questions are provided in the Applicant Self-Assessment section.
  • Two (2) letters of reference that support the work that the applicant submitted for the fellowship consideration.
  • Current members of the WOCN Board of Directors are not eligible to apply for the Fellow Program and may not serve on any selection committee.

Responsibilities of WOCN Fellow

  • Individuals selected as WOCN Fellows must attend (in person) the induction ceremony that will be held during the WOCNext 2025 in Orlando, FL (the exact date, time, and location will be announced at a later date). This is a ticketed event; the cost of the ticket is not included in the WOCNext 2025 registration. Semi-formal attire is required.
  • Continue to further the mission, vision, and values of the WOCN Society.
  • Mentor novice and other nurses/clinicians to successfully contribute to the growth of the WOC nursing specialty.
  • The inductee is responsible for nominating at least one (1) deserving and qualifying individual each year.
  • Maintain membership with the WOCN Society and pay the annual Fellow fee by the established deadline and at the rate established by the WOCN Society Board of Directors.

ABOUT WOCN HONORARY FELLOW CATEGORY

An Honorary Fellow is an individual whose distinguished service to WOC nursing benefited science and healthcare in advancing and promoting health equity and social justice. The candidate made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the WOCN Society and WOC specialty nursing as evidenced by:

  • Long-term involvement in national and/or local leadership positions,
  • Support and mentorship of WOC nurses,
  • Development of innovative programs for support of wound, ostomy, and/or continence practice, and/or
  • Sustained or significant contributions to the evidence base of WOC nursing practice through publications and/or research/evidenced-based projects.

Eligibility Criteria for An Honorary Fellow Nominee:

  • Is not eligible for a regular WOCN Fellow category (i.e., is not a nurse, is no longer certified, is deceased, is not a member of the WOCN Society, etc.).
  • Must consent to be nominated unless circumstances preclude such consent.
  • Is nominated by two WOCN Fellows in good standing. WOCN Fellows in good standing may annually sponsor a total of two Fellows, in a combination of regular and/or Honorary Fellow candidates.

Application process

The entire application process is conducted via an online portal and will include the following components:

  • Name of Honorary Fellow nominee
  • Names of WOCN Fellow nominators (must be in good standing)
  • Each of the two nominating WOCN Fellows must submit a letter of support. Nominating Fellows must be knowledgeable of the candidate’s outstanding contributions to the advancement of the WOCN Society and WOC specialty nursing.
  • The letters of support must consist of the following two sections:
    • The general information includes information about education history; certification/credentials; leadership positions; speaking engagements; awards and honors; and any additional information that is considered relevant. If information is not available, the nominators must state why such as no access to a CV.
    • The essay must provide evidence of the nominee’s expertise and impact within:
      • WOC nursing society and education, health system processes, and/or educational processes;
      • Advancement of the WOC nurse role;
      • Research and/or evidence-based practice projects;
      • Public policy/legislation and advocacy;
      • Quality improvement to impact patient care, safety, health outcomes, and health system processes;
      • Dissemination of knowledge (publications, presentations, etc.) that demonstrates the value and impact of the WOC nurse role and related activities.

FEES

  • Application fee:  $275.00 (non-refundable)
  • Once inducted, annual Fellow’s dues are $350.00 plus the cost of annual WOCN membership (Society membership is required). These fees do not apply to individuals inducted into the WOCN Honorary Fellow category.

IMPORTANT DATES AND TIMELINES

  • Application deadline is 11:59 PM Eastern Time on February 28, 2025.
  • Incomplete/late applications will not be considered.
  • Candidates will be selected and notified by the first week of April 2025.
  • WOCN Fellows will be inducted at a special recognition event at WOCNext 2025 (attendance is required; event date, time, location, and other details will be announced later).